Right hand technique guidance

[trevjo7]

There is no right or wrong ... once you have achieved a reasonable mastery of technique. Until then, there is a choice of what's easiest at the time versus what will get you to that "reasonable mastery" point. To use great musicians using unconventional methods as examples to emulate might be misleading to beginners.

As already stated, index-and-middle is the most conventional method, used by the majority of players; it will get you to "reasonable mastery" efficiently in most music (and perhaps because it came from the double bass). Once you learn that technique, feel free to use thumb, pick, and/or anything else.

Interesting that you name Carl Wilson ... I wouldn't put him on a level with the other greats you mention. Yes, many bassists used their thumbs when the bass guitar was new; I suggest that it's because their parts were simple. I use my thumb sometimes for simple parts, only because I like that sound for particular things.

'Reasonable mastery' is going to take me a long time but, with my limited ability I'm going to have to accept that. I appreciate your input.

 

[trevjo7]

Index & middle is the standard. Since you’ve used your thumb, you could use your palm to mute. Anthony Jackson is one of many that are known for their palm muting technique.

Hi. Definitely going to try and adopt the muting approach with the thumb.

 

[trevjo7]

Welcome to TB. As mentioned, index and middle finger are standard. But, IMHO one of the best ever was James Jamerson (Motown) and he was nicknamed the "Claw" because he only used his index finger. BTW, double bass jazz was he first love. As added advice, Jack Bruce (Cream, etc) once described Duck Dunn (Stax/Volt) as playing with the three "T's": Taste, Touch and Tone. If you can get taste, touch and tone out of your thumb then go for it. There are really no rules.

Real wisdom and food for though. Not giving up with the index finger approach. Thank you.

 

[trevjo7]

As mentioned first finger and middle finger are “standard” and traditional. I use the Damien Erskine/Matt Garrison right hand approach which steals a lot from classical guitar and banjo technique. Plucking with just your thumb is a very very old style technique, it’s how Leo Fender envisioned the bass would be played, that’s why the very old Fender basses have the “thumb rest” underneath the G string, it’s actually called a tug bar and it’s intended to be used by hooking your 4 fingers under it to anchor them and then pluck with your thumb. It’s a big boomy pillowy sound. I have one on one of my basses, mostly for decoration, but I do use it as intended every now and then. There’s really no wrong way to get sound out of your bass regarding your right hand, there’s a time and place for almost every technique. I believe it’s Steve Bailey that uses all 4 fingers, Tony Levin occasionally straps drum sticks to his right hand fingers to pluck, Jamerson only used his index, Victor Wooten plays double thumb which is basically using his thumb like a pick, Rocco Prestia is the master of 2 finger funk. Don’t be overwhelmed by options though, pick a style that interests you the most, pursue it until mastery, then expand from there. Best of luck!

I really like your advice regarding not been overwhelmed by the various technical approaches. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

 

[trevjo7]

I started playing bass as a young teenager in the mid to late eighties, at the time, all the instructional books that I could find, (mostly Mel bay)- stated to either use a pick or 2 fingers (index & middle fingers)
I decided to go with what was most comfortable- I used my thumb along with 2 fingers, eventually incorporating my thumb with 3 fingers.. In retrospect, I’m so glad I started incorporating my thumb into my plucking. It felt most natural to me, regardless of what the “standard approach” was. And later on when I worked on slapping, my thumb was already developed quite well… I say just go with what feels natural ! No wrong way here imo, developing your own style of playing is a great thing to accomplish.

I do recommend You should start using your thumb right away. Get it a bit under the E string and pluck slightly upward but mostly towards the G string. This is a tremendously fat sound and if you master it on all strings, you'll have great tone.

Don't worry so much about speed. You can pull off 90% of most tunes with your thumb.

Then incorporate your pointer/index for Octave stuff and Chords etc…

Don't get me wrong. You should get your Pointer/index chops too. I just love using my thumb for that better fatter tone.

A song I love to play thumb style is "Cheap Sunglasses" (ZZ Top). It just sounds much better to my ears that way.

Hi, thanks for the reply. Do you happen to know where I can find videos of this technique please?

 

[SteveCS]

but have been told i should change to using index and middle fingers.

It's like anything - there are a number of 'normal' methods that each have fundamental 'rights and wrongs' within them. The only should is that each should be learnt or studied separately, individually and completely. Over time you will develop a broad 'repertoire' of techniques from which you can pick and choose as the demands of the music change...

So don't abandon your thumb, but maybe put it to one side for a while as you develop your 'fingerstyle'. As noted below, don't be suckered by the temptation to 'do whatever works' if that means not paying due attention to the 'normal' methods first. At some point you will find yourself seamlessly switching between fingers and thumb at will. Then rinse and repeat with the next technique...

There is no right or wrong ... once you have achieved a reasonable mastery of technique. Until then, there is a choice of what's easiest at the time versus what will get you to that "reasonable mastery" point. To use great musicians using unconventional methods as examples to emulate might be misleading to beginners.

 

[Les Fret]

I like this one:

??? That video has nothing to do with right hand technique...it's about left hand slides.

 

[FunkHead]

??? That video has nothing to do with right hand technique...it's about left hand slides.

Sorry pasted in wrong one. I was in process of correcting it.

 

[FunkHead]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Do you happen to know where I can find videos of this technique please?

Here’s the one I tried to link to:

 

[Afc70]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Do you happen to know where I can find videos of this technique please?

This Gary willis video really helped me a lot, many years ago. It’s been something I’ve absorbed into my own technique over the years. It’s just food for thought, and it may or may not work for you,, but I’ve also used Gary Willis’s advice on playing with low action and a light touch as well, and it’s how I play.

 

[BlueTalon]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Do you happen to know where I can find videos of this technique please?

This video isn't an instruction video, but it shows you the capabilities of someone who can use their thumb that way at a high level. Notice also how he anchors his thumb when he uses his fingers, and how that anchor point shifts while he's playing.

 

[chris_b]

. . . . I'm a beginner and looking for guidance for which right hand finger/s (and thumb) I could, or should use to pluck the strings. I have used just the thumb fairly successfully, but have been told i should change to using index and middle fingers.

What technique does the guy who inspires to to play, use? Start with that as your basic technique. When you have mastered that, look around for other techniques to add.

 

[BassChuck]

Always let the sound guide you. If you're playing the note on time without pain, you're doing fine.
One point you to consider. If you are in a musical position where different attacks are beneficial, you might use your index finger primarily and the second finger sparingly. This way the callous on the index finger will be stronger and give a stronger more pointed attack and the second finger softer and quieter.

 

[Patrice B]

Alternating index and middle fingers is by far the most common technique, and you should probably start with that. You can experiment later with other techniques involving three (or all four) fingers on the plucking hand, or the thumb, but any "Bass 101" course would start with two-finger plucking.

By the way, since you're just getting started, you might try this particular technique:



There are plenty of other videos available, but this one is short and sweet and will give you a good introduction to it.

As a relatively new player (2 and a half year), I’ve quickly adapted to this right hand technique with the floating hand/thumb over the strings. Helps a lot for muting.

Now exploring the palm mute technique with thumb for a more upright thud sound. Also, trying to implement pick playing.

For what it’s worth, I also have to check carefully my left hand as I have a certain tendency to have my thumb wanting to wrap around the neck (or too high, ie, above the center of neck). Lot of things to check…

Good luck at OP.

 

[WrapRough]

I'm amazed this is even up for debate.

 

[SteveCS]

'Reasonable mastery' is going to take me a long time but, with my limited ability I'm going to have to accept that. I appreciate your input.

I don't think the point was 'mastery' in the strictest sense. IME it is more about focussing on developing a level of understanding and proficiency with each basic technique in isolation before trying to combine and blend them into the consolidated "@trevjo7" method. It does take time, but every minute spent playing/practicing with focus moves you closer.